CU Libraries Insider

Spring Vacation Schedule

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:03:00 +0000

Carlson and Suhr libraries will close at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday March 19 to begin the observance of Spring Vacation.

Both will operate on the daytime schedule (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Carlson and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 at Suhr) on Thursday and Friday.

The Libraries are closed over the weekend, and will follow the daytime schedules (above) on Monday.

Carlson Library will remain open until 9:00 p.m. and Suhr Library until 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. Both Libraries resume regular evening hours on Wednesday, March 26.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 22

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Winter Break Schedule

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:02:00 +0000

Carlson Library will be closed the weekend before, as well as the Saturday after, Winter Break (That is… March 8th, 9th, and 15th).

Suhr Library will be closed the weekend before and after Winter Break (That is… March 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th).

During the week of the break, Carlson Library will operate on an 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. schedule (except for Friday when it closes at 4:00 p.m.). Suhr Library will operate on an 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. schedule.

Carlson Library will resume its regular schedule on Sunday, March 16, opening at 1:00 p.m. and closing at midnight.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 22
http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Research Workshops This Week

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:57:00 +0000

Before you take off for Winter Break and then Spring Holiday, you may want to take advantage of the four workshops that Carlson Library is offering this week.

Wednesday, March 5:
11:00 - 11:50 RefWorks: Creating a Customized Citation Database
2:00 - 2:50 Is it Plagiarism Yet?

Thursday, March 6:
11:00 - 11:50 Evaluating Web Sites - Trash or Treasure?
2:00 - 2:50 Searching the Internet: Best of the Web

RefWorks: Creating a Customized Citation Database focuses on a new tool to help you manage and format bibliographies for your papers. You can export citations from many databases into RefWorks, and then format the citations into bibliographies using RefWorks' hundreds of available output styles. Attend this session to learn how this tool can save you much time and effort!

Is it Plagiarism Yet? will help you to avoid research practices and mistakes that could have dreadful consequences for your grade. Attend this session to learn more about plagiarism and tips to avoid it.

Evaluating Web Sites - Trash or Treasure? is designed to help you determine which Web sites are credible and authoritative and which ones have unsubstantiated “facts” and opinions. At this session you will learn about criteria that you can use to critically evaluate Web sites.

Searching the Internet: Best of the Web is a great way to learn about strategies, tips, and specialized search engines to help you focus your results and locate higher quality information on the Web.

These sessions, held in room 201 in Carlson Library are open to all students. Attendance sign-in sheets will be collected and made available to professors (upon request) wishing to track student attendance.Space is limited. If you would like to reserve a seat or if you are a faculty member and would like to reserve multiple seats for your classes, please contact Ms. Karen Sheesman at 814-393-1841.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 22

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Libray Tip--Carlson Library Level B Closes

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:51:00 +0000

Access to Level B of Carlson Library has been closed for safety and security reasons. If you would like to use any of the older print journals stored there, please complete a journal request form and turn it in at the Circulation Desk. The forms are available at the Circulation and Reference desks as well as in the Periodicals Department. Requested journals will be available for pick-up at the Circulation Department, usually within the hour. Faculty: if you have special needs for your classes or yourself, please let us know and we will make appropriate arrangements.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 21
http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Getting Started With RefWorks

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:46:00 +0000

Do you dread writing the bibliography or "works cited" section of your research papers and incorporating proper citations into your writing? The Libraries are offering a wonderful new tool to help you manage and format the citations for your papers. You can export citations from many databases directly into RefWorks, and then format the citations into bibliographies using RefWorks' hundreds of available output styles. By mastering this tool, you can save yourself much time and effort!

To get started, your first step is to create an individual account in RefWorks. To do this:
Go to www.clarion.edu/library

Select “RefWorks” from the “Services and Collections” menu. (If you are accessing RefWorks from off-campus, you will be prompted to log in at the Keystone Library Network PASS (Patron Authentication System) screen. See http://www.clarion.edu/library/IDHelp.htm for login help.)

Then, at the “RefWorks Login Center” screen, click on “Sign Up for an Individual Account” and follow the on-screen prompts to create your account. In the top-right section of the login center screen, there is a link to a tutorial. It is strongly recommended that you take the time to go through the various tutorial sections. They will familiarize you with the many features of RefWorks and allow you to learn how to use the service to its best advantage.

Now that you’ve created your account, you can begin exporting citations to RefWorks as you search various periodical databases and online catalogs. Unfortunately, not ALL databases offer an option to export citations directly to RefWorks, but most do. Look for an option to export citations to RefWorks in the same area as you typically access options to print, e-mail, or save citations. (You can also manually type references into RefWorks.) This is an example of the export option in the databases accessible via EBSCOHost:

After you select the database option to export citations to RefWorks, you will be prompted to log into RefWorks using the individual account login information that you created in step #3 above. (Make sure you have set your browser to allow pop-ups.) If you are exporting citations using an off-campus computer or from a non-registered IP address, you will have a multi-step login process:

You MAY first be prompted to log in at the PASS screen as in step #2 above.

You MAY ALSO be prompted to supply the RefWorks “group code” for Clarion University, identifying you as a Clarion user. This code was e-mailed to you when you created your individual account.

Finally, you will have to log in using the individual logon you created in step #3 above.After your citations are imported to RefWorks, you have a wealth of options available for managing them. You can organize them in folders, sort them in various ways, and format them into bibliographies in many output styles. You can even use the RefWorks Write-N-Cite utility feature to write your paper with automatic in-text citations. (You must download this utility to work in concert with MS Word on your computer.) Taking a bit of time now to familiarize yourself with this great product will save you loads of time later on when all of your papers are due!

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 21

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Library Tip -- Group Study Rooms

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:34:00 +0000

Group Study Rooms are available in Carlson Library on Levels A, 1, and 3. The rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, although in special cases they may be reserved ahead of time.

Our policy states, “Study rooms are available for either individual or group use. Priority for study room space is normally given to groups of three (3) or more. Library staff may request that an individual study elsewhere when the space is requested for group use.”

In the event that groups need a study space and the room is occupied by fewer than three people, group members should first check the availability of other study rooms on Levels A, 1, & 3. If another room is not available, please request that Circulation Desk staff (Level 1) ask individuals to relinquish the room for group use.

Level 3 is a Quiet Zone, so if you expect to have a spirited discussion, please do so quietly or use a Group Study Room on Levels A or 1.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 20
http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Trial Database -- Discovery Education Streaming Video

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:32:00 +0000

**Attention Education Majors and Distance Education Students**

Check out the streaming video, audio files (songs), articles, lesson plans, state curricular standards, and other features available for the next 30 days…

As part of our ongoing commitment to acquire the best resources possible at an affordable price, the Library is making available – on a trial basis - Discovery Education's UnitedStreaming Plus database. This database contains over 8,000 media titles in subject areas ranging from Health, Language Arts, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Visual and Performing Arts.

Student teachers may find several features of this database useful in preparing for their classes. The Teacher Center allows educators to create assignments and select or create quizzes for students to use. Lesson plans are available with links to appropriate videos tied to the curriculum.

Videos may be streamed directly from the Web site (note: the download feature does not work during the trial period). Closed captioning is available and can be selected as an option within the personal preferences area or within the individual video being accessed. Videos can be embedded into PowerPoint programs to provide instructional reinforcement.

To access this database, go to the Library's home page at: file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/LNORRIS/My%20Documents/EMAIL%20NEWSLETTER/www.clarion.edu/library and click on "Discovery Education Streaming" link located at the top of the page in blue letters. Remember if you are accessing this from home, a log-in box will open up on the screen before you can get into the database. You may use your iClarion username and password or Students will need to use 9 + their Clarion student ID number to log in. Faculty must use 0000 + their employee ID number. Please let us know how useful this database is to you.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 20

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Library Tip -- Videos, DVDs, and CDs

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:40:00 +0000

Looking for videos, DVDs and CDs? Carlson Library has been adding numerous titles and even more are on the way. Suggestions for others are most welcome.
To locate them, first go to PILOT, the online catalog of library resources. For videos and DVDs, select “Video” in the “Set Single Limit” option search box. Enter the title or topic in the regular search box as usual and click on search.

For CDs and other media items, click on the “Set Limits” box on the lower right side of the PILOT search screen. In the “Location” box select either “Media CDs Collection” or “Media Collection.” Then click on the “Set Limits” bar at the top left of the screen. You may then continue a keyword (or other) search for your topic. (Through a fluke in the system, subject search will not work, but keyword searches will.)

If you have questions or difficulty, contact a reference librarian at 393-2490.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 19
http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

New Database - AnthroSource

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:39:00 +0000

AnthroSource is the premier online resource serving the research, teaching, and professional needs in the subject fields associated with anthropology. It contains current and back issues of fifteen of the American Anthropological Association’s peer-reviewed publications, as well as other bulletins and newsletters.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 19

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

New Database -- WorldCat

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:37:00 +0000

WorldCat is a global catalog of resources held by more than 60,000 libraries around the world. It’s the premier source of bibliographic records for more than 98 million titles representing more than a billion items. If you’re looking for information on publications in all formats other than individual magazine and journal articles, this is the best place to check. It also includes a growing number of electronic resources and digital objects.

Information seekers on the Web who visit Google, Yahoo, and other popular sites can discover items in the Clarion University Libraries through search-result links to WorldCat.org, where you identify your location. Select the library and you are redirected to the item record in PILOT, our online catalog of holdings. If you use social networking tools such as Facebook, you also have the ability to launch searches and obtain results with links to WorldCat.

If the Clarion libraries don’t have what you’re looking for, the publication information in WorldCat can be used to request it through our Interlibrary Loan service. In the coming months, we will be installing new software to make that process easier and quicker.The addition of WorldCat, the linking it supports, and the related improvements in interlibrary loan services are supported by the Student Technology Fee.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 19
http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Library Tip -- Renew Your Materials Online

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:13:00 +0000

Although you can renew your books by calling or visiting the library, wouldn’t it be nice to renew your materials with a click of your mouse?

With a few simple steps, you will be able to access your library account online and process your own renewals! Go to PILOT, the library’s online catalog of resources, and click on the link at the top of the page which reads, “Renew Books.” Enter your library ID number. Enter your last name, and click “Login.”

Students: Your Library ID Login is 9 + your Clarion ID number.
Faculty and staff: Your Library ID Login is a nine digit number consisting of four leading zeroes plus your employee ID number.
Once you have logged in to your library account, you can view what you currently have checked out. Check the box beside the items that you wish to renew, click “Renew Items,” and a new screen will show you the new due dates for your materials.
*Please note: You cannot renew your library books online if they are already overdue or if they have already been renewed once. To request a renewal under these circumstances, please contact:
Carlson Library at (814) 393-2301 or Suhr Library at (814) 676-6591.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 18

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

New Database -- STAT-USA

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:11:00 +0000

STAT-USA provides a single point of access to authoritative business, trade, and economic information from the U.S. Government on both domestic and international matters. The information is accessed through either of two sections:

1) State of the Nation contains over 2,000 current (and nearly 35,000 historical) federal economic and financial reports. These include general economic indicators such as the Consumer Price Index, Producer Price Index, and Gross Domestic Product; housing and construction data; employment and unemployment statistics; manufacturing and industry indicators such as retail sales data, manufacturing, trade, inventory and sales figures, and industrial production reports; monetary statistics; and economic policy reports.

2) GLOBUS (Global Business Opportunities) & NTDB (National Trade Data Bank) contains daily trade leads from the Trade Opportunities Program as well as the Department of Agriculture. It offers daily procurement activity from the Defense Logistics Agency, the United Nations, and the Commerce Business Daily leads. The NTDB provides access to Country Commercial Guides, Market Research reports, Best Market reports, and other programs. The International Trade Library is a comprehensive collection of over 40,000 documents related to international trade. All are full-text searchable as well as keyword searchable by country or product.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 17
http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

FROM THE COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS BOX...

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:33:00 +0000

Comment:
“Need people who understand the Wiki site better.”

Response:

Thank you for your comment. However, the University Libraries does not maintain a Wiki site.

Some faculty members create Wikis for their courses, however, only the professor and members of the class have access to those types of Wikis. In such a case, you will need to consult with your professor or possibly the Computing Services Help Desk (814-393-2640 or http://www.clarion.edu/computing/HelpDesk_index.shtml).

If it is a Wiki associated with a Blackboard supported course, you may want to check out the Blackboard Web Page (http://www.clarion.edu/cs/ltc/blackboard/bb7login/) or contact the 24/7 Blackboard Help Desk at 1-866-434-8882.

Unfortunately you did not provide contact information when you submitted your comment through our online Suggestion Box. Without it and not knowing any more information about your problem, there is little that we can do to follow-up with you other than this message.

Terry S. Latour
Dean of Libraries
January 31, 2008

Library Tip - Comments & Suggestions

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:56:00 +0000

Do you have comments or suggestions that you think will help us to improve library services? Share them with us either through our online Suggestion Box (we have traditional suggestion boxes in each of the libraries too) or through our CU Libraries Insider Blog. If you provide contact information, we will provide you with a personal reply.

If the response to a question or comment is appropriate for other library users, it will be posted either through the Blog or in the notebook beside the Carlson Library Suggestion Box. Let us hear from you about what we can do to improve our services.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 17

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

New Database - Safari Tech and Business Books Online

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:53:00 +0000

If you are looking for up-to-date information relating to technology and business, Safari Tech & Business Books Online may be the answer. It provides access to 92 electronic books in these two subject fields on topics that are timely. It’s often difficult for libraries to keep up to date with changing information or trends in these areas and Safari Books is one way for us to address this need.

You may search the Safari Tech & Business Books Online site for the topic of interest to you, browse the titles available there, or search PILOT, the library’s online catalog of resources, for the titles or subjects that you are interested in. Hotlinks will take you to the appropriate Safari electronic books.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 17
http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

New Database - Credo Reference

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:49:00 +0000

Credo Reference provides nearly 300 reference titles, with 3.1 million entries, from 58 of the world’s leading publishers. They contain authoritative information across a broad range of knowledge, including the subject fields of art, biography, business, food, geography, history, language, law, literature, medicine, music, philosophy, psychology, quotations, religion, science, social science, and technology. These information resources take the form of atlases, chronologies, dictionaries (including bilingual), encyclopedias, factbooks, guides, handbooks, reader’s or subject companions, and who’s who listings.

Whether you are looking for quick facts or more in depth information on a topic, Credo Reference is a good place to begin your search. Subject searches may be conducted at the Credo Reference Web site. If you happen to be searching PILOT, the library’s online catalog of resources, for a specific title and it is available electronically in Credo Reference, a hotlink will lead you there. Check out this award winning service made available through the support of the Student Technology Fee program.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 17

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Library Tip - Closing Routine

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:26:00 +0000

Those of you who are late evening library users or late afternoon users on Fridays and Saturdays, may already know that Carlson Library has a special closing routine.

To allow our small staff to clear an enormous building, Levels A, 2, and 3 are closed 15 minutes before the building closing time. Level B normally closes at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday evenings, and 30 minutes before closing on other days.
Level 1, the entrance floor, remains open until the posted closing time. We ask your cooperation in helping to clear the floors promptly.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 16
http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

New Database - Praeger Security International Online (PSIO)

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:23:00 +0000

Praeger Security International Online (PSIO) provides in-depth analysis on security issues that threaten to destabilize the world. It includes a news feed from the International Herald Tribune and an ever growing range of content from a global network of content partners.

Special features include weekly commentaries by scholars and experts in the field; an archive of more than 1,000 important primary documents; a terrorism chronology; and an authoritative annotated bibliography. New content on crucial issues includes the topics of:
· Immigration and Border Control
· Psychology of Terror
· Disaster Response
· Transportation Security
· Counterinsurgency
· Weapons of Mass Destruction
· Energy and Security A news feed is available within PSIO and an RSS feed is available to help keep you better informed.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 16

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

New Database - CQ Researcher Online

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:21:00 +0000

CQ Researcher Online is an award winning service that offers comprehensive reporting and analysis on issues in the news. It’s noted for its in-depth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy.

About every week or so, CQ publishes a single-themed, 12,000-word report on a new topic. Its reader-friendly organization provides researchers with an introductory overview; background and chronology on the topic; an assessment of the current situation; tables and maps; pro/con statements from representatives of opposing positions; and bibliographies of key sources. Available reports date back to 1991.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 16
http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday & Weekend

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:29:00 +0000

Carlson and Suhr Libraries will be closed on Monday (January 21st) in recognition of the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Carlson Library will have special hours on Saturday, January 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will be closed on both Sunday and Monday. Suhr Library will be closed on all three days.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 15

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

New Databases And Services

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:27:00 +0000

With the new year, we are introducing a number of new information resources and services. In the coming weeks, we will provide detailed information about each of them - and several more are still in the works. Student Technology Fees are paying for several of these.

New Databases:
AnthroSource, journals, newsletters, and bulletins relating to the field of anthropology.
CQ Researcher Online, reports and analysis on contemporary political and social issues.
Credo Reference, hundreds of information reference sources in electronic form.
PILOT, online library catalog of holdings, book reviews, tables of contents, author notes and book jacket artwork for many of the more recently published titles in the collection.
Praeger Security International, information on terrorism and security, including humanitarian and peace operations.
Safari Tech & Business Books Online, electronic books in the fields of business and computer information systems.
STAT-USA, a single point of access to authoritative business, trade, and economic information from the U.S. Government.
WorldCat, bibliographic information on more than 80 million titles held in more than 60,000 libraries around the world.
New Services:
Eagle Gold Search, an option to search multiple databases at one time.
Interlibrary Loan, new software that makes it easier for you to request the information resources you need and helps us to get them to you quicker.RefWorks, an online research management and writing tool that makes it easier to gather, manage, store, and share all types of information.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 15
http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Welcome Back!

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:25:00 +0000

The staff and faculty of Carlson and Suhr Libraries welcome you back for the 2008 Spring Semester. Whether you are on one of Clarion’s campuses, taking classes at a remote location, or enrolled in an online course, we are here for you. Please don’t hesitate to stop by - or call us - for your information service needs.

Carlson Library Reference Desk
814-393-2490
Carlson Library Circulation Desk
814-393-2301
Carlson Library Interlibrary Loan Office
814-393-2481
Suhr Library
814-676-6591

Or contact us through our Web page at: www.clarion.edu/library.
If you are a distance education student, we have a range of special services just for you. Check them out at our Distance Learning Web page, http://www.clarion.edu/library/distance.shtml, or call us toll free at 1-866-272-5612, and press #3 for library.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 15

http://www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Library Tip - Return Day

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:05:00 +0000

Friday, December 7th is library return day. All library items should be returned that day to avoid fines and lost item charges. If you need an item beyond Friday, please consult with the Circulation Department.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 14
www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

Library Tip - Protect Your Valuables

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:04:00 +0000

The end of the semester and the Holiday Season are times when you should take extra care to protect your valuables. Don’t leave textbooks, backpacks, purses, MP3 players, computers, or other valuables unattended. They could disappear before you know it.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 14

www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm

It's Not Too Late

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:03:00 +0000

It’s not too late to get help with end of the semester papers and research projects.

While they won’t be available in the wee hours of the mornings, the reference librarians at Carlson and Suhr Libraries will be available during weekdays and most weekday evenings until 9:00 p.m., as well as on Saturday at Suhr Library and Sunday afternoon in Carlson Library. Stop by the libraries or call Carlson Library at 393-2490 or Suhr Library at 676-6591. Distance Education Students may use the special toll-free number provided just for you.

If immediate feedback is not crucial, or if it’s a time when the reference librarians are not on duty, you may also submit requests for assistance using our Ask a Librarian online reference form. It is available at the library Website, http://www.clarion.edu/library/ under the “Services and Collection” heading.

Don’t forget about all the tutorials and resource lists also available at the library Website.

Library Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 14
www.clarion.edu/library/news/index.htm